Maryland coach Randy Edsall has decided to try something a little new with his team this season.
Rather than selecting team captains, Edsall has formed a leadership council based on the input from his assistants. Essentially, Edsall asked his coaches to recommend a player from their position group whom they felt could be a leader. Edsall announced the members of the council following the spring game this past weekend:
Quarterback C.J. BrownOffensive lineman Sal Conaboy
Outside linebacker Yannick Cudjoe-Virgil
Receiver Stefon Diggs
Inside linebacker Cole Farrand
Defensive back Jeremiah Johnson
Defensive lineman Darius Kilgo
Long snapper Greg Parcher
Running back Albert Reid
Tight end Dave Stinebaugh
Maryland will go with game captains each week. Of these players, Edsall had some high praise for the work Diggs has done in making himself a team leader this season. Though just a true sophomore, Diggs has taken more initiative this offseason and during spring practice.
"He is better this spring," Edsall said. "He is more focused, not to say that he wasn’t before. He really wants to be better. He doesn’t want to stay the same, he doesn’t want to regress. He really understands the effort that has to go into being a good player. He was selected as one of the ten leaders on the team. ... I think Stefon is making sure he can do everything he can to live up to the role he now has as part of that leadership council."
Diggs caught eight passes for 159 yards and a touchdown in the spring game, though he said his performance was, "OK." Diggs clearly has got his eyes on an even better year in 2013 after a dazzling freshman campaign. Looking forward to seeing what he has in store.